Villa Maria coach involved in altercation with fans

ESPN.com first reports story/video

December 23, 2011

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Villa Maria girls basketball coach Doug Chuzie was involved in a physical and verbal altercation with fans on Wednesday night during the Victors' game at the Nike Tournament of Champions, according to ESPN.com.

Two fans were removed from the gym by security after going on to the court to confront Chuzie, ESPN.com reported. One fan reportedly pushed Chuzie as the coach was on the court communicating with a game official.

In a physical game between the three-time defending PIAA state champions in Villa Maria and Long Beach Poly, Calif., an intentional foul called on Villa Maria caused Poly fans to start screaming.

"Yes there was a verbal altercation between myself and a group of (Poly) fans," Chuzie said late Wednesday evening, according to ESPN.com. "However, that altercation was because I was protecting one of my players from their continual verbal abuse and aggressive taunting."

"He never should have gone at it with a fan," Poly head coach Carl Buggs said, according to ESPN.com. "People ask me all the time if I hear things being said from the crowd. I tell them no because I have a game to coach and players to protect. I'm intense during a game, but you can't let those things get to you."